IAVI Applauds Clinton's Support for LGBT Rights

December 13, 2011

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) applauds U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s powerful, comprehensive speech on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on December 6. “Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct,” Secretary Clinton said, “but in fact they are one and the same.” Supporting LGBT rights is an important strategy in the fight against the HIV pandemic. The hatred and discrimination experienced by LGBT in most parts of the world is a core element of their vulnerability to HIV. By boldly including LGBT rights among other universal rights, Secretary Clinton and the Obama administration have advanced the global struggles for human rights and against HIV/AIDS.